There are a wide range of activities that enable you to undertake CPD, and the GPhC encourages you to use a variety of these, including: 

• Gaining knowledge and skills on conferences and courses 
• Practice-based learning, including feedback from patients and audits 
• Analysis and review of critical incidents you have experienced 
• Self-directed learning, including reading, writing or undertaking research 
• Learning with others, e.g. talking to colleagues or going to workshops.

Things to consider are the evidence base, the time needed to achieve this, the academic level, what suits your learning style and the time you have available.

Action and evaluation

When taking action, you simply need to record what you did, what you have learnt and when the learning was undertaken or completed. If you undertake unplanned learning, you can start to record a CPD entry at the action stage. Next, you need to evaluate your CPD by looking at the success of your learning activities and understanding whether what you have learnt has benefited or will benefit your practice as a pharmacy professional. 

Once you've got all the information together for your CPD, start documenting it right away. Read the 'Criteria for Good CPD Recording Practice' in section 6 of the GPhC's Plan and Record document to explore what is being looked for in your records. 

Remember, you must record your CPD €“ if it's not written down, it didn't happen.

Win-win

While healthcare regulators require CPD to demonstrate that registrants are professionally accountable to patients and the public, it's important not to lose sight of the fact that there are benefits to the individual undertaking the CPD. These include:

• Building your confidence and credibility
• Showcasing your achievements
• Helping you achieve your career goals 
• Helping you cope positively with change by constantly updating your skill set
• Supporting you to be more productive and efficient.